It was a happening, br a moment in time, br some fifty years ago. br I remember br the pull on my shirt, br a plaintive voice br a cry for help, br the revulsion br that I felt. br br For standing there, br Iraqi girl, br age close to seven, br dress torn, br sandals broken, br cupped hands br outstretched; br no nose, br no cheek, br no right eye. br staring out br instead br a gap, br a void, br a fly trapped br festering hole. br br Horror struck, br I search, br I find a coin, br a silver one, br to give, br to push br into her hand. br br I think br girl with only half a face, br please go away, br please leave my view, br seeing you br I ache, I pain, br I hurt, br for you do offend br my sight. br br She had run, br had scurried off, br was quickly gone. br br Now when I close my eyes.